Wales meet Eddie Jones’ Japan in a two-match series, with the first Test in Kitakyushu on 5 July and the second in Kobe on 12 July.
Thomas is one of the most experienced players in the squad and sees similarities with the 2022 tour of South Africa as Wales bid to end their awful run of results.
Wales lost that series 2-1 against the world champions, but won the second Test – their first ever victory on South African soil – having been beaten narrowly by three points in the opening match.
“The last summer tour we had with this kind of block was South Africa, four or five weeks together before we went,” said Thomas.
“We don’t have that opportunity in the autumn and Six Nations to have this time together. So this time has been really good for us.”
Ospreys prop Thomas hopes Wales will gain their first international victory since October 2023.
“We’re all desperate to get that win now and turn the corner,” said Thomas.
“I think there is a talented group here and boys who have been in it for a while and on this losing streak, it does get to you.
“We need it, we are desperate for it.
“The work we’ve put in the last five weeks, there’s a lot of effort gone into it, and hopefully it shows in Japan that we can turn the corner.”
